EarthCraft Programs

The EarthCraft certification process can be applied to a variety of structures, from single family residences to light commercial buildings. For a fuller description of each program, click the image next to the title.

Residential Programs

EarthCraft House
A residential green building program designed to address the climate conditions of the Southeast, EarthCraft House is a blueprint for creating and maintaining energy and resource efficient living environments. The EarthCraft House program is intended for single-family detached homes, townhomes and duplexes.

EarthCraft Multifamily
Launched in 2003, the EarthCraft Multifamily program is the first multifamily specific green building program in the nation. The program provides certifications for low-rise and mid-rise multifamily projects, including new construction and renovation. Multifamily standards address a wide range of sustainability considerations, including environmental performance, indoor air quality, building durability, comfort and affordability. EarthCraft addresses these concerns at the unit level and for the structure as a whole.

EarthCraft Renovation
Without maintenance and renovation, no building lasts forever. The EarthCraft Renovation program allows homeowners to improve building performance, durability, operational efficiency and indoor air quality while they make changes to their home. EarthCraft Renovation is a great fit for existing homes, as well as additions.

EarthCraft Communities
In 2005, the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association, the Atlanta Regional Commission, the Urban Land Institute, Atlanta District Council and Southface launched the EarthCraft Communities program – a certification system for sustainably planned and constructed communities. EarthCraft Communities offers holistic approaches to development for rural, suburban or urban projects. Through the EarthCraft certification process, communities enhance their health, livability, efficiency and overall market appeal.

EarthCraft Sustainable Preservation
EarthCraft Sustainable Preservation is a regional green building certification program created specifically for historic buildings. The program is designed to evaluate and highlight what is inherently sustainable about historic buildings while providing guidance on appropriate alterations to make them more energy and water efficient. Projects will receive technical guidance from green building and preservation experts helping achieve customized solutions for more sustainable historic buildings. The program is specifically intended for historic building projects sized 50,000 square feet or less, however all projects may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Commercial Programs

EarthCraft Light Commercial
EarthCraft Light Commercial is a regional green building certification program offering third-party verification for resource responsible design and construction practices for small-scale, or “light,” commercial buildings in the Southeast. The program focuses on site planning, energy and water efficiency, building durability, and improved occupant health and comfort. EarthCraft Light Commercial is best suited for commercial building projects sized 50,000 square feet or less, however projects up to 80,000 square feet may be considered for the program.

EarthCraft Sustainable Preservation
EarthCraft Sustainable Preservation is a regional green building certification program created specifically for historic buildings. The program is designed to evaluate and highlight what is inherently sustainable about historic buildings while providing guidance on appropriate alterations to make them more energy and water efficient. Projects will receive technical guidance from green building and preservation experts helping achieve customized solutions for more sustainable historic buildings. The program is specifically intended for historic building projects sized 50,000 square feet or less, however all projects may be considered on a case-by-case basis.